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Put on your sunglasses and close your eyes. Imagine the smell of coconut tanning oil. Next, "feel" the penetrating warmth of a balmy day on a sun-kissed beach. Reality check: this is Iowa. It's below zero outside with or without the sun! If a trip to some warm tropical paradise is not in your plans this winter, try bringing the tropics to you by making a trip to the grocery store for some delicious tropical fruits.

Tropical fruits not only taste great; they'll also provide healthful nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber and antioxidants.

For those looking to lose some weight on their 2015 journey to better health, tropical fruits are a great choice because they are good sources of fiber. Fiber is the non-digestible part of plants that is beneficial for digestive health and gives a feeling of fullness. By eating good-tasting, high-fiber foods, a person is less likely to overeat and will stay feeling satisfied for a longer period of time. High-fiber foods may also help in lowering the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Per cup of fruit, guavas are the winner in the fiber department, providing 9 grams or 36 percent daily value (DV). Next highest is a cup of kiwi providing 5 g fiber, followed by mango, papaya and pineapple at 2-3 g or 10-12 percent DV.

Many tropical fruits are an excellent source of immune-boosting Vitamin C, which helps us resist infection. Besides helping to maintain healthy gums and blood vessels, Vitamin C is also important for wound healing and collagen maintenance. The tropical fruits providing the most Vitamin C per cup include guava at 627 percent DV to mango and pineapple averaging 55 percent DV.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient also found in tropical fruits. The top fruit for providing this nutrient is one cup of papaya.

Papaya has a sweet/tart flavor and may protect the heart as well as provide anti-cancer properties. The enzyme papain, found in papayas, may improve digestion and help break down proteins. Papayas are easy to prepare. Just cut the papaya in half, remove the seeds and enjoy.

At 100 calories in approximately one cup, mangoes provide a great deal of nutrition for a small amount of calories. The sweet taste of a mango works well in salads, salsas, smoothies and even on hot cereals.

Pineapples are probably the most familiar of the tropical fruits. Like papaya, pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain. Bromelain breaks down proteins so it aids digestion. It also acts as a meat tenderizer when used in a marinade for chicken or pork. Pineapples are also high in manganese, a mineral that helps keep bones strong and connective tissue healthy. One cup meets 73 percent of the recommended daily allowance for manganese.

The guava is a less familiar tropical fruit to many Midwesterners. This crunchy fruit can be eaten just like an apple. Either peeled or not, the sweet/sour taste may have strawberry overtones. Seeds are distributed throughout, so just eat around them.

Dried tropical fruits can also be used as a handy snack. The next time you're shopping at the grocery store, pick up some tropical fruits. The taste, health benefits and overall goodness can't be beat.

Cathy Gehris is a Hy-Vee dietitian at the eastside store on First Avenue (338-9758) in Iowa City. Contact Cathy by email at cgehris@hy-vee.com. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.